Sitting opposite Australia's cancer fraudster: 'You're almost begging her to tell you the truth'
In 2015, Tara Brown found herself sitting opposite cancer fraudster Belle Gibson.
Ms Gibson, a disgraced wellness blogger, had established a publishing and online empire, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
During a remarkable interview, Brown tried to get Ms Gibson to tell the truth.
It was a "very frustrating" experience," Brown recalled.
"She continued to keep up the façade, and she was very good at doing that.
"It almost didn't matter what the question was," Brown said, "there seemed to be a story in her answer, every time."
Cancer con-artist Belle Gibson shocked Australia when she revealed she had lied about her brain cancer diagnosis and had failed to deliver promised charity donations. 60 Minutes / Nine
Even when confronted with details on her birth certificate, Ms Gibson lied on camera about her age.
"You're almost begging her to tell you the truth," Brown said, "but that seemed quite impossible.
"And that would be funny, in a way, except that it was quite serious because people took her seriously and put a lot of faith in her and were deeply hurt by her actions."
During the show, Brown revealed Ms Gibson had undergone a hospital brain scan in 2011, which showed she had never been sick with a cancerous tumour.
Ms Gibson claimed she was misdiagnosed.
"But of course, that was not the truth," Brown said.
"Her story had carried far and wide and had been believed and promoted.
"And so when that story is not true … we have a responsibility to sit down and talk about it."
Belle Gibson sat down with 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown (pictured), whose extraordinary interview revealed the true depths of the deception. 60 Minutes / Nine
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Ms Gibson's motivations to deceive were a mystery, Brown said, and ranged from money to mental illness or "something darker and deeper".
Brown said Ms Gibson didn't appear to show any remorse.
"I can't pretend to know Belle Gibson's inner-thoughts," Brown said, "or when she looks in the mirror, what she sees."
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